Job Interview Test

The interviewer has just asked Craig why he left his previous job. Which answer is most likely to help Craig get hired?

"Because I felt it was time to move into a more challenging and responsible position."

How many hours a week do you find it necessary to work in order to get your job done?

"Mr. Employer, I've worked jobs that have required unlimited time commitments on an ongoing basis, and I've worked for companies that looked down on anyone who worked beyond normal business hours. I'm capable of excelling in either type of environment. Which style do you envision for this job?"

How long should an informational interview last?

15-20 min

Never immediately accept a salary offer. Sleep on it for ________, during which time you should consider your options.

24-48 hours

How many paragraphs should be in your cover letter?

3

It is perfectly acceptable to ask to consider a job offer over a ________ period.

48-hour

If you respond to job listings, you will probably be rejected; your chances of getting an interview are less than _____%.

5

What percent of communication is communicated non-verbally?

65-85%

You can predict and prepare for _____% or more of the questions the interviewer will ask you.

80

What motivates you to succeed?

A high personal standard of excellence

Which of our competitors have you applied to?

All or most of them.

If asked a point blank question such as: Are you creative? Are you analytical? Can you work under pressure? Etc. What is the best way to answer?

Answer yes and give a specific example.

Which of the following is an example of a legal question asked during an interview?

Are you able to perform the duties of this job with or without reasonable accommodation?

Why do you want to enter this career?

Because I have the following skills to offer .....

Why should we take you rather than the other candidates?

Because I have the following strong points ........

Which of the following questions is appropriate to ask your interviewer?

Can you describe an average or typical day in this position?

What are good ways to do Research on the company you're interviewing to work for?

Check them out on the internet AND Talk to people who you know that work there

What do you look for when hiring people?

Different positions require different types of people. I try to assess the candidate's fundamental knowledge of the position and ability to learn new things. Also of importance is the candidate's attitude and ability to "fit in."

Complete this statement. ________ be late!

Don't

Which is the best answer for this question. Do you prefer to work alone or as part of a team?

Each situation is different, having a team to collaborate with works better for some projects, while its best for one person to work on other projects. I enjoy being a part of a team but I can work independently to.

________ means walking awhile in someone else's shoes. It's about being considerate and understanding.

Empathy

What do you know about our organization?

Everything I've seen and heard makes me want to be a part of this organization. I understand your industry is (blank) and your primary customer is (blank). A particularly exciting part of your business appears to be (blank).

________, at least in job interviewing, is the best teacher.

Experience

Tell me about yourself. Would you:

Give examples of your strongest personal qualities and achievements.

Tell me about yourself.

Give three specific examples of your personality traits and accomplishments.

After the interview, you should

Go home and start writing that Thank You message while the interview is still fresh in your mind.

What is NOT a way to take care of Halitosis?

Gum

Are you a leader?

Here is an example of where I showed leadership skills ....

________ is a risky and expensive business for employers.

Hiring

Which of the following is a legitimate question in a job interview?

How does your previous experience relate to the job for which you have applied?

Which of the following should not be considered before you write your cover letter?

How much money do I want to earn?

How would you describe yourself?

I am detail-oriented, organized and self-sufficient, which is why I would be perfect for this position

If an interviewer asks your age, the best answer is to say

I am over 18, and I have a work permit and a valid driver's license

What do you consider your greatest weakness?

I can be forgetful sometimes, but I've developed a reliable system for keeping on top of things

When someone is interviewing you and they ask you if you have any questions, what should you say?

I have a few questions.....

Why are you in the job market?

I have a solid plan for my career. Within that plan I am looking for additional responsibility and more room for growth.

Why haven't you taken a job yet?

I have done some careful planning because this decision is very important to me. I have been offered positions but, to date, I have not been able to find a position that meets my criteria and this is important because the match must be good for me and the company. The position we are discussing today appears to be a good fit.

How would you characterize your management philosophy?

I like to balance my focus between bottom line results and the employees. I find attention to employee needs important in building loyalty. I also keep a keen eye on the bottom line and careful measurement of productivity.

What did you like and dislike about college?

I liked the opportunity to be involved on campus. It was a small campus that allowed students to take responsibility, organize events and be a part of the planning team. I can't really think of anything I disliked, college was a wonderful experience.

Why did you leave your last job?

I was looking for an opportunity to grow

What would you do if you disagreed strongly with the way a supervisor handled a situation?

I would do my best to understand his/her point of view

Describe how you would handle a conflict with a supervisor or other superior.

I would explain my side of the story and listen to his/hers. If I saw an opportunity to improve something, I would explain how I would go about doing it.

If you had the option, how would you have changed your college career?

I would have probably focused on my major sooner

What are your strengths?

I would have to choose between two skills. I am very proud of my determination and ability to get things done. At the same time, I am very proud of my analytical abilities and problem solving skills. These skills combine to give me a unique ability to solve problems and then implement the solutions.

What would you do if your coworkers were opposed to a recommendation you felt strongly about?

I would hold a meeting and ask them to explain what they didn't like about the recommendation and come to a compromise

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I would hope to grow with the responsibility I am offered and to develop my skills as far as I am able.

What would you do if a subordinate was consistently coming in late and leaving early?

I would pull him aside and ask him what his situation is. If I have the ability to arrange a flex schedule, I will

If you know a co-worker is going to call in "sick" but she is actually going on vacation, what would you do?

I would tell her that everyone needs time off and she should just use her real vacation days

How would you deal with a difficult colleague?

I would try to deal with them directly and set some ground rules

What kind fo financial compensation would you expect for this position?

I'd expect my salary to be commensurate with my work experience

What are you looking for in a position?

I'm looking for an opportunity to apply my skills and contribute to the growth of the company while helping create some advancement opportunities for myself.

Are you willing to relocate?

I'm open to opportunities within the company so if that involves relocation I would consider it.

What makes you think you have senior management potential?

I've had several recent experiences that have prepared me for the role. I've had departmental forecasting, budgeting, and staff management responsibilities. I've also managed several projects of increasingly complex nature. Additionally, I've been a resource to management for cost savings ideas and profit increasing ideas.

Where do you want to be in 5 years?

If selected, I would hope to meet my goals and take advantage of opportunities to learn so I will be considered for other positions within the company. I hope to build my career with a company such as this one.

Describe a situation you've encountered with a difficult customer.

In my last job I dealt with customers at a retail store. One customer wanted to return an item she had obviously bought several years ago, which was against store policy. I talked to her calmly and explained our policies and encouraged her tos hop and I would exchange the item, however, I could not give a refund.

What salary do you expect?

Initial salary is less important than training and opportunities for career development, but I'm sure a firm of your quality will reward appropriately.

If you wanted to communicate that you were very interested in what someone is saying, you would

Lean in if you are seated

________ is the key to winning answers and to a winning interview.

Listening

What was your GPA? Why is it low? Why is it high?

My GPA is 2.8 because I held a full time job while in college, working my way through school. It is not reflective of my ability to do the job.

Before we go any further, what kind of money do you need to make?

My salary requirements are negotiable. Your firm has a reputation of compensating employees fairly and I trust you would do the same in my case. I am very interested in finding the right opportunity and will be open to any fair offer when I do so.

If a question in the application does not apply to you, what should you put?

N/A

What is the least amount of information you should know about the interviewer?

Name, Pronunciations, Position

What information about your references should be on your resume?

Name, Title, Address, Phone Number

________ interviews are the most common type experienced by interviewees.

One-to-one, face-to-face

________ interviews occur infrequently, and you are interviewed by several people at the same time.

Panel

________ are defined as work habits that can be transferred between jobs. Also, ________ may have been learned early in life and reflect broad attitudes and beliefs about how a job should be done. They represent how a worker does a job, while Technical/Job Skills represent what is done on the job.

Performance skills

Which of the following is NOT a good way to prepare for your interview questions?

Pray really hard and then watch TV to get your mind off of it.

_________ is the key to successful interviewing.

Preparation

Which of the following are some of the tasks that are important to complete, on the days leading up to the interview?

Prepare your attire, get directions to the interview and practice-practice-practice

What are your short term goals?

Short-term, I'd like to find a position that is a good fit and where I can contribute to a company's bottom line. The position we are here to discuss today would appear to be such an opportunity. Would you tell me more about it?

What are your weaknesses?

Talk about a weakness that you really have.

What is an example of an open question?

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

What is the most honest part of the body?

The feet

If a person has both arms and legs crossed, it would typically mean

They are defensive

How would co-workers describe you?

They perceive me as someone who cared about them personally and had high expectations. I get a great deal of satisfaction from helping others do their best. My former employees would highlight three of my priorities which are to build loyalty and a team environment, obtain results and develop people.

What traits do you think a successful manager should have?

They should have a vision and a plan for the future and have a knack for getting everyone involved

What are your short-term job goals?

To gain more experience

What are your long-term job goals?

To move up and succeed in a company like yours

Which of the following statements is NOT correct, regarding an appropriate interview look?

Wear every piece of jewelry you own.

Which of these is a good question to ask during your initial job interview?

What are the opportunities for advancement?

Which of the following is NOT necessary to do research on?

What are the religious views of the interviewer?

Which is more important to you, the job itself or financial compensation?

While a good salary is important, it's just a piece of the puzzle

Do you have any questions you would like to ask us?

Yes, I have lots of questions I wish to ask ......

Why are you the best person for the job?

You need someone who can produce results, and my background and experience are proof of my ability. For example...

What of the following is not okay to bring with you into the interview?

Your cell phone.

The specific goal of writing a resume and letters and networking is to get ________.

a job interview

Lasting change doesn't come from doing ________ better. It comes from doing ________ better.

a little a lot; a lot a little

What is a job posting?

a notice announcing that a job is available

What is a hypothetical question?

a question that asks you what you would do in the situation

A cover letter should close with

a request-for-action ending

A resume can best be described as

a summary of your background

What does an interview teach you?

about the career

Avoid choosing words like assisted and participated; use effective action words or phrases such as

accomplished and coordinated

Which of these should NOT be included in a resume?

age

Distracting mannerisms during a videoconference job interview may include:

all of the answers listed

During a lunchtime job interview, in addition to table manners, you try to avoid _________.

all of the answers listed

Sources for locating jobs include ________.

all of the answers listed

The interviewer will evaluate you afterwards. Consideration of which of the following will help them?

all of the answers listed

What makes you stand out among your peers?

all of the answers listed

Which of the following are basic methods for seeking a job?

all of the answers listed

Which of the following are considered closed-ended questions?

all of the answers listed

Which of the following are considered open-ended questions?

all of the answers listed

Which of the following are examples of good listening behaviors?

all of the answers listed

Which of the following is a guideline(s) that will provide you with some direction when completing application forms?

all of the answers listed

Which of the following is a step to job search success?

all of the answers listed

Which of the following is a type of interview?

all of the answers listed

Which of the following is an interviewer's goal?

all of the answers listed

Which of the following item(s) do you need to know about a potential job and the company?

all of the answers listed

Which of the following questions are considered illegal?

all of the answers listed

Which of the following should you do to prepare for your interview?

all of the answers listed

Which of the following websites are well worth exploring for assistance with a job interview?

all of the answers listed

You should walk into the interview __________.

all of the answers listed

If called back for a second interview, what should you discuss?

all the above

What do you bring to an interview?

all the above

The main objective of an interview is to

allow the interviewer to assess your qualifications and skills beyond the information on your resume

Another purpose of the interview is to

allow you the opportunity to assess the organization and the position which is open

What is a prospective employer?

an employer that is looking for a new employee

In your preparation for an interview, you will research the organization thoroughly. What is a good source of information about the corporation and its structure?

annual reports

What should you do if you make a mistake?

apologize and continue

Professional licenses and certificates is an essential section on your resume if these ________ required for the kind of work you do.

are

When having a lunch interview, it is best to put your napkin on your lap

as soon as you're seated

Someone has just walked up to you and introduced herself, but you weren't listening very well and didn't get her name. You

ask again, because you don't want to alienate a potential associate.

You should arrive to your interview ________.

at least 10-15 minutes early

Where should you look during an interviewer?

at the interviewer

Plan for having the right _________, not the right _________.

attitude, answers

A __________ check explores a candidate's credit worthiness and ensures your candidate has no prior criminal history

background

If someone asks you about a negative situation, what should you do?

be honest but focus on the positives

It is understandable to ________ during the interview.

be nervous

It's not enough to just know your values. You need to ________ them...you need to walk the talk.

behave

Be careful how and what you eat and drink during your interview. Your ________ is being continuously observed.

behavior

Everyone is responsible for their own ________.

behavior

What would you NOT say if you were asked-What motivates you to succeed?

bonuses

When negotiating, you are doing _________ - your talent for the employer's money. It's best to treat it as this type of transaction.

business

When organizing a resume, how should items be organized?

by date, newest to oldest

What type of phrases should you NOT use when describing your work history?

came in right on time and left when work was over

Your basic goal in salary negotiations is ________, not ________. The latter tend to be standard - come with the job regardless of your negotiating ability.

cash; benefits

What should you order over a meal interview?

chicken and salad

The most traditional resume form is the

chronological

Which resume form may be inappropriate for someone making a career change?

chronological

Your ________ can make a difference in communicating positive aspects about you during the interview.

color combinations

The ________ resume format generally is a longer resume format

combination

Interviewing is a ________ skill you can successfully learn and apply.

communication

"Steepling," or bringing finger tips together means

confidence

For most businesses and most business occasions, ________ is best.

conservative

What needs to be in in the last paragraph of your cover letter?

contact information

Education is an important item to be included on your resume. If you are an experienced worker, include the degrees you have earned, the institutions at which you earned them and ________.

dates of attendance

The purpose of an inventory is to

determine what assets you have to offer an employer

With few exceptions, different isn't wrong....it's just ________.

different

See ________ for what it really is: a business success strategy.

diversity

Which is NOT the best power word that you would put on your resume?

doing

Always ask questions about the job ________ the interview.

during

One should not expect to talk into an interview and "just be yourself"; one must prepare to meet and exceed the expectations of what constitutes a "good interview" in the eyes of ________.

employers

Rather than treating people equally, your goal should be to treat them ________.

equitably

References should NOT be a _________.

family member

What is the first thing you do after an interview?

follow up letter

""Me."""

forget

If you have extensive experience and are seeking a position outside your industry, which resume form is recommended?

functional or skills

Which resume would you use if you were changing careers?

functional or skills

How well you interview will influence your present and future salaries as well as your ________ relationship with the employer.

future

The purpose of an unsolicited cover letter is to

gain the attention of the employers to contact you for an interview

Your best bet is to avoid dishes with a lot of ________ and any raw onions on the day of an interview.

garlic

If you find yourself being interviewed along with several other applicants, you are in a ________ interview.

group

The first block of information shown in your resume is

heading section

The main difference between a cover letter and a resume is a cover letter

highlights the particular aspects of your skills and accomplishments that best suit a prospective employer's needs

Closed questions on an interview are

highly structured

Rules should be followed or changed but not ________.

ignored

You should ________ your job search by developing action plans and following through.

implement

Look for and create opportunities to learn, grow and continually ________.

improve

Age, marital status and physical characteristics used to be considered under optional sections on your resume. However, more and more employers have become aware of the legal consequences of using this ________ information as a basis for hiring.

inappropriate

If you want to decrease your percentage of rejections and increase your probability of getting job interviews, you must take the initiative to conduct _________ interviews.

informational

Take some ________ during the interview but don't try to take control.

initiative

What is the most important part of the entire job search process?

interview

An ________ will help you remember who interviewed you in each company so that you are prepared for follow-up interviews.

interview record

Keep the salary question to the end of the interview after you have established your value. It is preferable to have the _________ initiate the salary question.

interviewer

The first thing you do when you walk into an interview is ____________.

introduce yourself using your first and last name

Unlike an employment application, a resume

is not signed by the applicant

When is a smile not important?

it is always important

Why is it important to know a companies financial situation before working for it?

it is not a good idea to get a job with a company that is financially unstable

You must be prepared to both answer and ask questions in informational and _________ interviews.

job

You don't manage people, you ________ them.

lead

Which of the following steps is most important for an individual to take in preparing for a job interview?

learning as much as possible about the company and preparing some questions to ask the interviewer

Employers want to hrie people who are competent, intelligent, honest, enthusiastic, friendly and _________.

likable

In the end, employers basically hire people they ________.

like

Of the following, the one that is NOT a type of opening for a cover letter is to

make a specific request for action

Which of the following should usually be omitted from your resume?

marital status

A resume serves as a(n)

marketing tool

While preparing for your interview, you need to think about your own strengths. To do this you will need to be honest with yourself. While some people exaggerate their own abilities, many other tend to be overly ________.

modest

Work history on your resume is the most essential section and should include each of your jobs, beginning with the ________.

most recent

The main thing to remember about appearance in an interview is_______

neat, clean, simple

Good grooming translates into cleanliness and ________.

neatness

Avoid ________ by presenting yourself in as positive a light as possible.

negatives

Salaries normally are ________.

negotiable

When asked about salary, what should be put on an application?

negotiable

________ is/are a group of people or individuals you can turn to for help.

network

Effective job interviews take place after conducting several other job search steps - identifying skills, stating a job objective, writing resumes and letters, conducting job research and _________.

networking.

In business situations, ________ double-clasp (put your left hand over their right hand).

never

The best way to get an interview and a job offer is to ________ ask for a job; always ask for information, advice, referrals - and to be remembered for future reference.

never

During his job interview, Raul spoke clearly and listened attentively. He was thinking about his

none of the answers listed

What are the most basic items of a resume?

objective, education, work history, community service, activities, awards, reference

The purpose of a resume is to

obtain an interview

Because you will be evaluated on your understanding of the position for which you are applying, ask questions in an interview specific to

opportunities for growth

If you walk into an interview and find yourself sitting at a table opposite of people, the type of interview is a _____________.

panel interview

What is work history?

past jobs that are described on one's resume

Stress interviews are conducted to see how an applicant

performs under pressure

A resume should not include a section entitled

personal

What can't a resume tell the interviewer?

personality

Interviews held at career/placement centers are often used to interview students; these interviews are called

preliminary interviews

Which of the following are positive verbal behaviors for a telephone interview?

project your voice

When dealing with performance problems, focus on problem solving and correction rather than ________.

punishment

If you are doing an interview over a meal, what is the first thing you should do when you sit down?

put your napkin in your lap

You should always try to ______ your answers using actual numbers in an interview.

quantify

Before reaching for the phone, you should

reach for a pad and pen to take notes

If you can't reach on a salary figure, try to negotiate other terms of employment, such as special benefits, new job description, promise to ________ your salary in six months.

reconsider

Frequently notice and ________ the kind of behavior and performance you want from others.

reinforce

Successful job interview outcomes include both job offers and ________.

rejections

What is off limits during an interview?

religion

In the closing of your cover letter, you should make it easy for an interviewer to grant you an interview by

requesting an interview

In the long run, you'll be much better off using your best ________ in areas of strength rather than problem zones.

resources

What should you do with your hands during an interview?

rest them in your lap

What do you use during your interview as a guideline?

resume

The first step to take in preparing for an interview is to

review your strengths and areas for improvement

What hand do you shake with?

right

Keep the ________ question open until the very last.

salary

How you converse may be just as important as what you ________.

say

You never have a chance to make a ________.

second first impression

What are the three steps in preparing your resume?

select, organize, and format info appropriate parts

With ________ interviews, the series has been set up from the time the interview was scheduled and no decision will be made until all interviews have been completed.

serial

You're being introduced to your interviewer. Unfortunately, y ou've been holding a cold drink and your hands are like ice. You

shake, but apologize about your hands, explaining that you've been holding a cold drink.

A thank-you letter following a job interview

should be sent even if you have decided the position was not right for you

When an interviewer says "Anything else?" he or she allows the applicant to

show how his or her skills/experience will fit the position

What does a group interview do?

shows the natural leaders

When answering your telephone, you should

sit up straight, breathe deeply and smile

When following up and you end up leaving a message on a voice mail, always leave your phone number and speak ________ so your number can be written as the message is being taken off the machine.

slowly

The best developmental feedback is frequent, informal and comes from multiple ________.

sources

If sending an email to your interviewer, be sure to use caps ________.

sparingly

People are most comfortable in general conversation when

standing to the side of another

Employers want to know your weaknesses; you should stress your ________.

strengths

You should always stress your positives and ________; never volunteer your negatives.

strengths

You will encounter several types of interviews which require different types of responses - informational, electronic screening, selection/hiring, telephone, one-on-one, sequential, serial, panel, group and/or _________.

stress

When closing the interview, take the initiative to ________ your strengths and value for the employer and to ask when you might expect to hear the final decision.

summarize

When addressing the interviewer's questions, always use postive form and content as well as ________ for your qualifications/accomplishments.

supports

If asked an illegal questions, try to be ________.

tactful

What are hard skills?

technical skills that define your job.

Most employers issue invitations to interview by ________.

telephone

The heading on your resume is an essential section. It must include your name, home address and ________.

telephone number

The only time people know what you're thinking is when you ________ them.

tell

Always send a ________ to individuals who helped you in your job search.

thank-you letter

Your first impression is to ________

the receptionist

One surefire way to succeed in business and life is to treat people the way ________ want to be treated.

they

If a students legs and feet are twitching and bouncing, this may mean

they are bored

If a person you are speaking to places a part of their eye glasses to their mouth, this would typically mean

they are stalling

If a person is rubbing their chin, this would typically mean

they are thinking

Encourage people to have fun, enjoy their work and ________.

think

You should promptly answer your telephone by the ________ ring.

third

Why should you ask questions?

to get information to decide whether or not you would like the job

What is the purpose of a resume?

to show an overview of yourself and your skills to get an interview

Dress appropriately. You want to be noticed, but you don't want ________.

to stand out

If people don't meet expectations, find out why. Then choose an appropriate response. Don't assume ________ is the answer.

training

Devising canned answers designed to impress the interviewer, rather than communicate about the candidate, borders on ________ job search practices.

unethical

When you shake hands, keep your hand straight, thumb knuckle facing ________.

upward

Establish your ________ in the eyes of the employer rather than accept a salary figure for the job.

value

"Pillowing" means

wearing a large shirt

The clothes you wear to the interview must be clean and ________.

well pressed

What should your paragraphs in your cover letter contain?

why you are writing, what you have to offer, how to contact

In terms of clothing for an interview, buy the best ________.

you can afford

In the informational interview, ________ are the interviewer; in the job interview, ________ are the interviewee. Learn to play both roles before engaging in any type of interview.

you; you